VENDU
2 works in one volume, 4to (221 x 155 mm) 2 nn.ll., 207 pp., 4 nn.ll. for part I (Greek text); 3 nn.ll. (last blank removed by the binder), 202 pp. for the Latin translation. Eighteenth-century English calf, spine gilt with raised bands, gilt edges.
1 in stock
Adams O-204 & 206 ; Thiébaud, 696 : “très belle édition, texte grec et traduction latine, remarquablement imprimée” ; Souhart, 358.
Finely printed editions of these Greek poems on hunting and fishing.
Oppian of Anazarbus Cynegeticks and the Halieutics by his homonym Oppia of Apameus are here published under the name of the first author, as both works were then catalogued under the general name of Oppian without distinction. The Cynegeticks comprise 2042 verses in four chants, the last one has only been transmitted incomplete. The first chant concern horses and dogs, the second on hunting animals such as buffalo, oryx, etc., part three is on hunting great cats and exotic animals (lion, panther, giraffe, camel, ostrich, for example), and the last part describes different hunting techniques. The Halieutics describe in 3506 verses, divided into five chants, different types of fish (2 chants) and the art of fishing (3 chants). The described species comprise 16 mollusks, 7 crustaceans, 2 worms, 2 echinoderms, 1 porifera, 5 mammals, 1 reptile and 122 different fish.
Although published previously, the edition of the Greek as established by Turnebus is the most accurate one, purged from the errors and mistakes added over the centuries. The elegant Latin edition is given by the translator and poet by Lorenzo Lippi (1440-1485). After having studied in Florence where he was in the circle of Laurent of Medici, he taught humanities in Pisa.
“On remarquera que le texte grec a été imprimée par Adrien Turnèbe et la traduction latine par Guillaume Morel. La raison en est qu’au cours de l’année 1555, Adrien Turnèbe obtint la place de Professeur royal en grec et se démit de l’emploi d’Imprimeur du Roi, en faveur de Guillaume Morel. – Peut-être existe-t-il des ex. portant la même firme pour les deux parties ; nous n’en avons jamais rencontré” (Thiébaud).
Fine, broad margined copy.
Some occasional spotting, binding expertly restored.
From the library of the Earls of Macclesfield with their bookplate and blind stamp on the title page.
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